Asia-Europe Cultural Festival: 2024 | The Rite of Spring

A compelling interpretation of the iconic Stravinsky’s music, a bridge between Europe and Asia.

Contemporary Dance Tuesday, 3 September 2024, 8:30 PM Teatro Zandonai, Rovereto, Italy Countries: India, United Kingdom

Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, the most iconic classical ballet score, first staged in Paris in 1913, meets Bharatanātyam, one of India's best-known traditional classical dances. Seeta Patel, a choreographer of Indian origin based in England and now an associate artist at Sadler's Wells in London, with her The Rite of Spring offers a bridge between Europe and Asia, a place where prejudices are overcome to leave room for a hymn to life realised by a perfect interweaving of dance and music. 

This work will showcase dance and music at their finest in a celebration of life. Bharatanatyam, which is typically performed in solo shows, is an extraordinarily rich art form that is becoming more and more well-known throughout the world of dance. This work will be among the most interesting current East-West flirtations, with the UK leading some of the most fruitful advancements in this art form.

As ensemble Bharatanatyam in a modern setting remains uncommon, this piece closes the gap and gives the possibility of much greater development of the art form, bringing together several audiences from diverse cultures.

After the performance, there will be a conversation with the choreographer.

The Rite of Spring was a nominee in the Best New Dance Production category at the 2024 Laurence Olivier Awards. 

Choreography and direction: Seeta Patel

Performers: Adhya Shastry, Aishani Ghosh, Indu Panday, Kamala Devam, Moritz Zavan Stoeckle, Sundaresan Ramesh

Music: Igor Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring (Recording of Spring - Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos - London Symphony Orchestra)

Intermezzo Singer: Roopa Mahadevan

Music Advisor: Julien Kottukapally

Costumes: Jason and Anshu Arora

Lighting Design: Warren Letton

Production Manager: Bethany Gupwell

Commissioned by: Sadler's Wells (London, UK)

Funded by: The Bagri Foundation, Arts Council England, Cockayne Foundation, The Place, Birmingham Hippodrome, Curve, The Lowry, Pavilion Dance South West, Akademi and Dance4

Supported by: British Council Dance City, Kala Sangam, Spin Arts and Yorkshire Dance

Click HERE or scan the QR below to book your tickets today!

The event is part of the Asia-Europe Cultural Festival 2024, organised by ASEF with the financial support of the European Union. For the full programme, CLICK HERE.